Subcutaneous parasites in humans: symptoms and treatment

Photos and videos of symptoms of subcutaneous parasites in humans are not a pleasant sight. Unlike intestinal worms, which a person may not even know the existence of, epithelial infections are easy to spot. In this case, a person is constantly uncomfortable due to the symptoms associated with the lesion. This will help diagnose the disease and start treatment as early as possible. A photo of subcutaneous parasites in humans causes almost disgusted emotions, but the symptoms of infection are much more unpleasant. The picture does not convey a person's sensations from the knowledge that someone is crawling along his body. However, epithelial infections are not only unpleasant, but also pose a significant threat to the health of the entire organism. The toxins secreted by the body of the parasite can affect all organ systems, and the helminths themselves tend to spread throughout the human body. Therefore, the manifestation of dermatological problems can be a sign of danger to the patient's life, since helminths are present in the brain, organs of vision or in the heart.

Which parasites live in the skin?

Dermatological problems can cause a wide variety of infections. If worms are most commonly diagnosed during an intestinal infection, insects and protozoa can also be found under the skin. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other blood-sucking parasites usually imperceptibly feed on and break away from a person, but there are those that continue to live and reproduce in the body.

Each of these types of infections has its own ways of entering the human body. The symptoms and effects of infection also vary widely. Accordingly, the treatment of the disease will be in different ways. However, in order to distinguish one parasitic infection from another and determine who lives in the body, a long diagnosis is required. Knowing the characteristics and habitats of various parasites, the doctor will tell you the most likely option even before the tests begin, focusing only on the patient's symptoms and travel map around the world.

Parasitic microorganisms

The most common disease of this type is leishmaniasis. It is caused by the simplest parasites that gave the pathology its name. 9 out of 10 infections only occur in a few countries:

• Syria;
• Iran;
• Saudi Arabia;
• Afghanistan;
• Peru;
• Brazil.

The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and some species of flies. Pathogenic microorganisms do not survive in temperate climates, so you will not be able to contract leishmaniasis until you rest in hot countries with tropical climates.

When infected, the infection forms ulcers on the site of insect bites. Over time, it will heal and leave a messy scar. With multiple herds, leishmaniasis can look like leprosy. The danger of this disease is that it passes from the skin to the lymphatic system and can affect the internal organs and gradually destroy them. At the same time, parasites live in cells, so immune bodies are of little use in fighting protozoa. But after a single experience in the fight against leishmaniasis, immunity is formed.

Insects among subcutaneous parasites

Diseases caused by such an invasion are called entomoses. There are several types of these subcutaneous parasites in humans:

1. Sarcopsillosis (tungiasis).Is called from the tropical sand flea. It is enough to walk barefoot on the beach or to lie in the sun for the insect to crawl on the body. It imperceptibly hides under the outer layer of the epithelium until the blood is drunk. Then the flea "gets fat" and starts pressing on the surrounding tissue, causing discomfort. When it dies, it is passed out of the body along with dead, peeling skin. If this does not happen, the tissue can become infected and abscess.
2. Dermatobiasis.The South American human fly injects larvae under human skin. When fully developed, they tear tissue and leave the body, leaving an open wound. Damage to the eyelid and the skin over the cartilage can have harmful consequences.

3. acariase.These diseases are caused by ticks. Best known is scabies, which live under the skin and multiply and feed on its cells. The symptoms of scabies can be easily distinguished from itchy urticaria by filamentous streaks - channels in the epithelium that are gnawed by the female parasite. Another mite, Demodex, causes dermatitis and baldness.

Most often, insects that settle in the human body live in southern countries because their development requires a stable hot climate. In some cases, however, it is enough to visit the sea in the summer and then fight subcutaneous parasites for several months.

Parasitic roundworms and more

Subcutaneous worms in humans are not difficult to spot. Usually they reveal their location like other infections - through redness, itching, and burning. However, in some cases, the epithelium is only an intermediate stop, and the main development of the pathology continues in the internal organs:

1. Dirofilariasis. There are different types of these helminths. Some prefer to settle in the internal organs, but there are those that affect the skin and eyes. The parasite larvae are carried by mosquitoes and occur in warm regions. A painful soft flexible lump swells at the site of the lesion. It is not dangerous if the infection does not affect the organs of vision. However, surgery is required for treatment.
2. Dracunculiasis.The Rishta worm enters the body with water that contains small crustaceans that larvae store in the stomach. Through the intestines, helminths penetrate the abdominal cavity, where they mate and lay eggs in muscle tissue in the area of ​​the joints and bones of the legs. When the new worm matures, the larva breaks through the skin and emerges. The only way to relieve the burning sensation and pain is to put the limb in water. Other methods of getting rid of the parasite that has settled in the body have not yet been invented.

3. Schistosomiasis.Not all worms under human skin get there with food. To get infected with schistosomes, it is enough to swim in the fresh water of tropical countries in South America, the Caribbean, Africa or Southeast Asia. The skin lesion resembles scabies and is accompanied by tingling sensations. But after a while, the larvae penetrate deeply into the body, after which the epithelial symptoms go away, and the next stage of the disease develops.
4. Gnathostomosis.Humans are not natural hosts for this parasite. Therefore, worms cannot multiply in the body. Hence, the Asian parasite enters the body with fish, frogs, or inadequately thermally processed birds. The larvae begin to migrate after a month. When they move under the skin, they cause itching, redness, and pain. The appearance in the abdomen is accompanied by edema.

After the first signs of helminths appear under the skin, it is necessary to examine the patient and begin treatment. Many parasites can significantly worsen health, including disability, if not removed in a timely manner.

Diagnostic method

Given the multitude of parasites that live under human skin, there is no one-size-fits-all method of determining the cause of the disease. We must also remember that insects and worms are not the only possible causes of dermatological problems. Allergic reactions, fungal growth, and bacterial infections are much more likely to cause hives and dermatitis.

The first phase of looking for parasites on human skin begins with an examination. The doctor will conduct a survey, examine the affected areas, and ask about other symptoms. This allows him to narrow down the search area and in some cases, such as dracunculiasis and dirofilariasis, prescribe treatment immediately.

If the physical examination did not help to fully clarify the picture, laboratory and hardware diagnostic methods are assigned:

1. blood test.The general analysis shows the picture of the body's reactions to infections. So, a specialist can determine the nature of the disease. When performing biochemistry, the indicators of the rate of sedimentation of erythrocytes and the content of eosinophils should be taken into account. If they are elevated, it means that helminthiasis is very likely. The ELISA analysis is the most accurate. It will also help determine the exact nature of the parasite by the presence of antibodies and whether it is present in the body.
2. stool analysis.Many subcutaneous worms are initially found in the intestine. Examining the feces will help you find helminth eggs and begin treatment.

3. biopsy.The analysis of the affected tissues, the contents of purulent abscesses and blisters and the swollen lymph nodes can also give a picture of the disease.
4. Ultrasound, X-ray, CT and MRI.Various hardware methods for "scanning" the body help to localize the source of infection under the skin and in internal organs. In some cases, this is the only effective diagnostic method.

Some infections can only be diagnosed after treatment, when the parasite is removed from under the skin.

Treatment of parasitic diseases

Depending on the type of parasite, doctors may need to use different methods to get rid of the infection:

1. The simplest microorganisms are destroyed with antibiotics. It is inevitably accompanied by symptomatic treatment.
2. You can remove ticks with special ointments and tablet preparations. At the same time, dermatobiasis can only be cured through surgery by removing the larvae from under the skin.
3. The method of treatment for helminthiasis directly depends on the type of parasite. Dirofilariasis is therefore only treated surgically. Antihelmetics help get rid of schistosomes and intestinal parasites. And the treatment of Dracunculiasis is not provided at all. A person has to wait for the worm to leave the body on its own and fight symptoms: pain and inflammation.

In any case, it is necessary to undergo a full examination by a doctor and start treatment under his guidance to ensure complete elimination of the parasites.